Sign holder



Elune 28, 1966 s. c. NESTEGARD SIGNAL HOLDER Filed April 28, 1964 kmm mmT QN INVENTOR. SANDER CHARLES NESTEGARD United States Patent O 3,258,232SIGN HLDER Sander Charles Nestegard, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to ElaineA. Nestegard, Wahasha, Minn. Filed Apr. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 363,127 6Claims. (Cl. 248-33) This invention has relation to means for holding asign or card for display; and more particularly to such means comprisinga rigid structure provided with a pair of parallel slots, and open atone end for the reception of a resilient, stiff `and flexible card. Theposition of the Slo-ts with reference .to each other is such that thecard must be bowed to slip into slots; and when released the card willstraighten or substantially so as to be firmly held and bound in theholder by its own resilience and the nonplanar configuration of thewalls defining each slot into which the card is held.

Commonly employed methods of securing signs or cards are `by piercing aswith a nail, adhesion, or pinching. The first two methods generallysecure signs in such a way that they are destroyed when it is attemptedto remove them. The third method also often requires sufficient force tohold the signs so that it is difficult to remove them.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for holdingsigns in such a way ythat they may be inserted and removed from theholder without the application of excessive force and in such a way asnot to damage the signs.

Another object of this invention is to provide van inexpensive andeasily movable sign holder.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sign holderthat may be attached to or placed on a great variety of surfaces.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view ofthe sign holder of FIG. l Iwith a card orsign held Itherein;

FIG. 2a is an enlarged detail plan View of one end of the holder shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 inFIG. l;

lFIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sign holder of FIG. l and4disclosing an alternative means for mounting or supporting it;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sign holder made according to a secondform of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a .top plan view of the holder of FIG. 5 with a card heldtherein; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sign holder of a type similar to thatshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, 'but for supporting a sign or card with respectto a cylindrical column or the like.

Referring to FIGS. l, 2, 2a and 3 of the drawings and the numerals ofreference thereon, a first form .of sign holder 10 consists of a basemember 11 and a pair of ears 12, 12 extending generally perpendicularlyoutwardly therefrom. Into these ears, a pair of slots 13, 13 have beencut. As .best seen in FIG. 2, these slots are parallel with each otherbut lie in different planes. Each slot 13 is defined yby a pair ofparallel planar wall surfaces 13a and 13b angularly related to the planeof the ears `12. The `surfaces 13a and 13b of one slot 13 are non-planaror angularly related to the wall surfaces 13a and 13b of the other slot13 and the planes of the wall surfaces of one slot converge with theplanes of .the Wall surfaces of the other slot at a point therebetweenbut offset from a plane through both slots.

A sign or other card 14 of stiff, flexible, resilient matelCe `rial isbent so that spaced portions of the card are substantially aligned withthe planes of the wall surfaces 13a and 13b of the slots. These`por-tions of the card are then inserted in the slots and the card isreleased. Its natural resilience will cause it .to take thesubstantially planar position as seen in FIG. 2, where it will `be heldand bound in place 'by its relationship to diagonally opposite edgesofthe wall surfaces 13a and 13b of the slots. The width of the slots`13, in relation to the plane through both slots, is quite narrowcompared with their Width in relation to the plane of the Wall surfacesof the slots (see FIGURE 3) and their width in relation to the planethrough both s-lots in less than the thickness of the card 14. For thispurpose, a card 14 `made of seven ply .tag board has been found to besatisfactory.

In FIG. 3 a supporting foot layer 15 of magnetic strip material isdisclosed as integral -with the base member 11. Such a strip sold by B.F. Goodrich under .the trademark Koroseal is excellent for this purpose.This strip will afiix the holder and its attached card to anymagnetizable material such .as 15 whether this material is in `ahorizontal, vertical or other plane.

In FIG. 4 a simila-r sign holder 10 is illustrated. However, in this`form ofthe invention, a supporting foot plate 17 consists of a platespot Welded onto the base 11. The ears and slots can ibe the same as inFIGS. l, 2, 2a and 3 and are similarly numbered. The underside of thefoot plate 17 can be felt covered, and is most useful for supportingsigns on horizontal, nonmetallic surfaces.

A second form of sign holder 20 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is perhaps more easilymanufactured than that of FIGS. l, 2, 3 and 4 in which the slots have tobe cut to lie in separate converging planes. Slots 23, 23 of FIGS. 5 and6 can be punched -or cut initially straight through ears 22, 22 inperpendicular relation to those ears while the ears .are still fiatlwith ibase member 21, The ears 22, 22 can then be bent to a position asseen in FIG. 6; thus positioning the wall surfaces of the slots innon-planar relationship so that a card 24 will be firmly held therein asdescribed in connection with the first form of the invention. A magneticstrip foot layer 25 is provided for supporting the holder on metallicsurfaces.

In FIG. 7 a sign holder 30 simi-lar to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 isillustrated. However, in this form of the invention, the ibase member 31is bent to fit a curved surface such as a support pillar 36in a retailstore, for example. The base member 31 may be either rigid and -bent to-fit a predetermined shape, or flexible so that it may be adjusted toany of a variety of surfaces. The flexible .magnetic material Korosealis ideally suited to serve as a magnetic supporting foot layer 3S forthis form of the invention. The ears 32, 32 and the slots 33, 33 of FIG.7 .are constructed in the same way as the slots and ears of FIGS. 5 and6.

The magnetic foot layer 35 may .also be used to attach the sign holderto nonmagnetic surfaces. This is accomplished as shown in FIG. 7, bypainting a magnetic material 50 on the supporting surface 51. Thismagnetic material may then 'be covered by a decorator paint 52, if it isso desired. The magnetic Afoot layer 35 on the sign holder will thenattach firmly .to the painted surface.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for supporting a fiat resilient card, said holder comprising.a -base member having spaced opposite end portions, an ear portionformed on said base member at each of said opposite end portions whichare angularly related to saidl -base member, each said ear portion"being provided with a slot defined by two parallel wall portions, thelwall portions `of one slot lying in parallel planes different from theplanes of the wall portions of the other slot but converging therewith,said wall portions having parallel edges and diagonally opposite edgesof one slot deiining a narrow slot -through one ear portion parallelwith the narrow slot deiined by diagonally opposite edges of the wallportions of the other slot such that a said card which is bowed out ofits iiat shape may enter 4both of said slots simultaneously and willreturn to a substantially planar position and the diagonally oppositeedges of each slot thus engage opposite sides of a said card to irmlyhold a said. card.

2. A holder as described in claim 1 whe-rein said base member has alayer of magnetic material aliixed thereto and conforming yto the shapeof said base membe-r.

3. A holder as described in claim 1 wherein said ear portions divergefrom said base member and the Wall portions deiining the slot in eachear portion are normal to the plane of said ear portion.

4. A holder for supporting a at resilient card, said holder comprisingIa Ibase 4member and a pair of ears formed of sheet material and saidbase member having a curve formed therein between spaced opposite endportions, one said ear being `formed on said base member at each of saidopposite end portions and diverging from said Ibase member, each saidear being provided -with a slot deined by two parallel wall portionswhich are normal to the plane of said ear, -the wall portions of oneslot lying in parallel planes different from .the planes of the wallportions of the other slot but converging therewith, said wall portionshaving parallel edges with diagonally opposite edges of one slot deninga narrow slot ,through one ear parallel with lthe narrow slot defined-by diagonally opposite edges of the wall portions of the other slotsuch that a said card which is bowed out of its tiat shape may enterboth of said slots simultaneously and will return to a substantiallyplanar position andthe diagonally opposite edges of each slot thusengage opposite sides of a said card to firmly hold a said card.

I5. In combination, a iiat -resilient card `of at least seven ply tagboard, a holder for supporting said card, said holder comprising a. basemember having spaced opposite end portions, an ear porti-on formed onsaid base member at each of said opposite end portions which areangularly related to said base member, each said ear portion beingprovided with a slot defined by two parallel wall portions, the wallportions of one slot lying in parallel planes diterent from the planesof the wall portions of the other slot lbut converging therewith, saidwall portions having parallel edges and diagonally opposite edges of oneslot ldefining a narrow slot through one ear portion narrower than thethickness of said card and parallel with the narrow slot defined bydiagonally opposite edges of the wall portions of the other slot suchthat said card when bowed out of its fla-t shape may enter both of saidslots simultaneously and, returns to a substantially planar position.and having the diagonally opposite edges of each slot engaging oppositesides of said card to rmly hold said card in said holder.

6. A holder for supporting a flat resilient card, said holder beingformed of thin sheet material and comprising a base portion havingopposite end portions and an ear formed at each of said end portions,said ears extending away from a common side and normal to said basemember, each said ear ybeing provided -with a diagonal slot defined bytwo parallel wall portions oblique vto the plane of said ears, the wa-llportions of one diagonal slot in one ear lying in planes different from.the planes of the Wall portions of the other of said diagonal slots inthe other ear :but converging therewith, said wall portions defining onesaid diagonal slot having parallel edges and diagonal-ly opposite edgesof one diagonal slot defining a narrow slot affording a Viewperpendicularly through one ear, which narrow slot is parallel with asimilar narrow slot defined by diagonally opposite edges of the wa-llportions of ythe other said diagonal slot such that a said card which isbowed out of its flat shape may enter both of said diagonal slotssimultaneously and will return to a substantially planar position andthe diagonally opposite edges defining said narrow slots thus engageopposite sides of a said card to irmly hold a said card to said holder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,586 8/1928Kessler 248--33 2,448,137 8/1948 Cody 248-29 2,731,229 1/1956 Seitz248-300 2,959,832 11/1960 Baermann 24-2011 2,977,082 3/1961 Harris248-206 2,987,841 6/1961 Phillips 40-11 3,007,269 11/1961 Jump 40-1253,023,929 3/1-962 Stein 221-47 3,079,724 3/1963 Harvel et al. 248-33FOREIGN PATENTS 288,015 4/1928 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

I. H. LACHEEN, I. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiners.

1. A HOLDER FOR SUPPORTING A FLAT RESILIENT CARD, SAID HOLDER COMPRISINGA BASE MEMBER HAVING SPACED OPPOSITE END PORTIONS, AN EAR PORTION FORMEDON SAID BASE MEMBER AT EACH OF SAID OPPOSITE END PORTIONS WHICH AREANGULARLY RELATED TO SAID BASE MEMBER, EACH SAID EAR PORTION BEINGPROVIDED WITH A SLOT DEFINED BY TWO PARALLEL WALL PORTIONS, THE WALLPORTIONS OF ONE SLOT LYING IN PARALLEL PLANES DIFFERENT FROM THE PLANESOF THE WALL PORTIONS OF THE OTHER SLOT BUT CONVERGING THEREWITH, SAIDWALL PORTIONS HAVING PARALLEL EDGES AND DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE EDGES OF ONESLOT DEFINING A NARROW SLOT THROUGH ONE EAR PORTION PARALLEL WITH THENARROW SLOT DEFINED BY DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE WALL PORTIONS OFTHE OTHER SLOT SUCH THAT A SAID CARD WHICH IS BOWED OUT OF ITS FLATSHAPE MAY ENTER BOTH OF SAID SLOTS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND WILL RETURN TO ASUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR POSITION AND THE DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE EDGES OF EACHSLOT THUS ENGAGE OPPOSITE SIDES OF A SAID CARD TO FIRMLY HOLD A SAIDCARD.